VLog: Navajo Clans & the Navajo Clan System (Adééhániih)
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- I am tackling a difficult subject to talk about, probably the hardest topic I've chosen to discuss... the Navajo Clan System (Ádóone'é Jilí̜nígíí). It is complex to the point that the only way to completely grasp the conceptsand it's implications is to be born into it! lol
This video goes into the "basics" of Navajo clans, describing the importance of Navajo clans in the present day: it's implications on identifying yourself & establishing Clan-relatives, how it identifies your ancestry, how it can "hint" at where you're originally from, how it determines who you can & can't marry, & how having Clan-relatives can help you in times of need. The main role that Navajo Clans have in this day and age is in introducing one's self in public, and showing respect.
The info here differs based on who is telling the info. Concepts are different on different parts of the reservantion and what I share here is not set in stone!! :-D
This video attempts to explain how the "basic format" of the Navajo clan is set up and what the components of the Clan Introduction actually mean. For example, here is the basic format for my own personal Clan Introduction in Navajo:
Yá'át'ééh, shik'éí dóó shidine'é, átaháásiiłóó...
Hello, my relatives and my people, everyone...
Shí éí Terry Teller yinishyé.
My name is Terry Teller.
Tó Aheedlíinii nishłí̜.
I am from the "Water Flows Together" Clan.
Ma'ii Deeshgiizhnii bá shíshchíín.
I'm born for the "Coyote Pass People" Clan.
Tsé Nahabiłnii dashicheii áádóó...
My maternal grandfathers are from the "Sleeping Rock" Clan.
Hónágháahnii dashinálí.
My paternal grandfathers are from the "One Who Walks Around" Clan.
Díí at'áo T'áá Diné nishłí̜.
This is what defines me as a Navajo.
This is the "basic" set up of how one gives their Navajo Clan Introduction. Watch the video to see how these are "broken down" and described in the video. Another format for introducing one's self by clan is given by my cousin in the video:
Yá'át'ééh, shí éí Deon Leonard yinishyé.
Hello, my name is Deon Leonard.
Áádóó adóone'é nishłínígíí éí...
And my clans are...
Tó Aheedlíinii nishłí̜.
I am from the "Water Flows Together" Clan.
Ma'ii Deeshgiizhnii bá shíshchíín.
I'm born for the "Coyote Pass People" Clan.
Tó Dích'í̜i̜'nii éí dashicheii.
My maternal grandfathers are from the "Bitter Water" Clan.
Áshi̜i̜hii éí dashinálí.
My paternal grandfathers are from the "Salt" Clan.
Using his clan introduction and by changing the scenario, I show how clans can show how you're related to someone. It's more complex than I demonstrate here... but you can only go so far in a 15-minute video, lol!
Lastly, I explain the history of the Navajo clans, how after First Man (Áłtsé Hastiin) and (Áłtsé Asdzáá) were created, Changing Woman (Asdzáá Nádleehí) rubbed off parts of her skin to make the first four Clans:
1. Kiiya'áanii ("Towering House" Clan)
2. Hashtł'ishnii ("Mud" Clan)
3. Hónágháahnii ("One Who Walks Around" Clan)
4. Tó Dích'í̜i̜'nii ("Bitter Water" Clan)
Lastly, I conclude telling the story behind 3 of the 4 stories of my personal clans came from. This video explains how the origin of the "Ma'ii Deeshgiizhnii" (Coyote Pass People) originates from the Pueblo of Jemez and the "Hónágháahnii" (One Who Walks Around People) originate from the White Mountain Apache Tribe (Dziłghá̜'í). I hope you enjoy the video! :-)
lol My brother didn't ask about this girl's clan and omg he almost kissed her but luckily lmao he found out that she was our cousin. Omg it cracks me up to this day.
lol
😂
lol 😂
Haha 😂 yo I'm apache I understand it be like that sometimes
"We from the same tribe
But from different clans!
She my Rez Bunny
And I’m her RedMan"
-Sten Joddi's lyrics from Greasy Frybread
Brilliant!
You weren't kidding that it's complex. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make it so clear for us.
U should make a video on explaining a navajo wedding ceremony and the whole husband and wife in navajo.
Most people say as long as your first two clans don't match up you're fine.
the words we choose create the Universe we live in.. when you say myth.. that's saying those stories are.. not real.. the use of yei in the stories are a method of passing ideas to people who come after.. so they understand without, necessarily, the same cultural references... this doesn't mean they are not also true.. the Tibetan and Indian people have Shiva.. many hands and arms.. and faces... it's a very confusing thing if you don't have the cultural references... my studies of the Dińe are because I was born in New Mexico and live in Arizona.. and I have been fascinated with Dińe all my life.. the more I read, interact with people, learn the language.. the more I know I don't, and cannot know... simply because I am not Dińe.. thanks for sharing
the language of Tibet sounds like Navajo... it's very very important for our understanding of the Planet we live on and the true history of our lovely Planet.. our Mother... it's Mother's day today.. happy Mother's day brother ❤
thanks for including the printed words.. a tremendous help learning a mostly spoken language.. my brain works with reading.. it's like.. built in, or something... definitely or something
the spelling goes away, unfortunately.. Walk in Beauty brothers and sisters Go in Peace ✌✨
Thanks bro 👍
Wow! This is so fascinating. I'm not Navajo or Apache but my grandfather was Arawak, a Native American Caribbean tribe in Jamaica. I hope you don't mind me listening to this. I've always loved stories about how First Peoples see the world or organize the world. Thanks so much for this. Great information as usual.
In regards to Windtalkers, I'm sure they left out grandparents clans for simplicity, so the audience wouldn't be confused . In regards to the plurialization, this demonstrates the difference in the concept of grandparents.There is not just ONE grandparent. The grandparent's siblings aren't viewed as great aunt/uncles, but as your grandparents. My grandmas sisters & brothers are my grandmas and grandpas, same for my grandpa's siblings. Pluralization exemplifies this concept.
First off I'm a HUGE fan of yours! I don't ever comment or subscribe but I love the language and culture of the Navajo! I'm not sure how to message you private so I thought this would be the best way to contact you. So could you PLLEEEAASSSEEE MAKE A NAVAJO CREATION STORY VIDEO!!! I think it would be really cool since native Americans have an amazing lore thats hard to find. You should also do it in Navajo with English subtitles and maybe even a breakdown video on some of the words! Also is there any traditional tribes lefts?
There are villages on Navajoland where they are highly traditional. No outside contact. Of course we won't disclose these locations but it is known with us Diné.
I just came across this video by accident. Some may not agree, but I believe this to be extremely important cultural information. Wonderful stuff, thank you!
Fascinating! I would suggest it is less difficult to understand than you say. Your explanation was clear. Different cultures have different rules on how clans/predecessors are explained but each has its own good sense. Thanks for explaining yours.
Then again, Diné people walk around and have gotten into this and that over time. So that could be the origins as well, beings that Honágháahnii - One-Walks-Around Clan is an original...
Awesome info! Thank you so much for sharing ! 😊👍💖
It's sad I don't know my clan need to ask my grandma
You did a great job!!! I taught school with Navajo children who first taught me about clans---a little 'confused' but only as far as the paternal clans. When I married, my husband took care to educate me thoroughly in the clan system.
You did an even better job than he did! :-)
Lol, no, I don't mind... the point of this video is to share this info with all people. I'm sure a lot of non-Navajos would find this information interesting and useful! Wow, glad 2 hear that Native peoples in the Caribbean area are still around! :-)
This was good! Should be taught in schools..everywhere! I came by this site when I came across an obituary for a Navajo guide we had on a trip to Canyon De Chelly. This was in 1971 and she died in 2011..so I should have tried to contact her earlier. I know her clans via the obituary and it was the very first sentence in the obituary! So now I understand. Drop me a note and I'll send that but sure appreciate you taking the time out to explain all this! All the best to you!
Hi, I am Chinese. I drove through the great Navajo nation a couple of times, and every time I stop by a walmart in the region I'm like you guys look so Asian to me. I grew up in regions where there were few Chinese people, and never really felt I belonged. Can I move to the Navajo nation, like would I be qualified to live there? I have no known Navajo blood line, but would that block the possibility of me meeting some one there for a family? Let me know. Thanks.
+Ron Harding she's mine.
I know right? Asians look like Navajos, not the other way around. Now, how often are you on the Rez?
Shan Liu im Navajo an single
( dine ) lol
Well it looks like things got stirred up for Shan Liu!
Now we're curious to know what happened to this thread of the story 😂😂😂
peneleapai They all are in a polyarmorous relationship in Sheepsprings raising sables.
Open mind is one way to listen I would venture to say. Now, since my Apache brothers and sisters have been around the Diné, they basically circle about around the people. This is where it looks like this clan is from because even Navajo people have ceremonies from Apache roots that go way back, basically at an even time-frame easily as old as the other 3 original clans. I have not heard that interpretation about the ceremony where the woman circled the house. That is somewhat off-putting to me personally because I try to extract the good, positivism, so I can see how folks with that clan can be offended. People have adventurous spirits and given that fact, this is where the basis of that spirit lies that are the origins of Honágháahnii - One-Walks-Around Clan, as well being inclusive of the ceremonies used by the Diné. To me, that is honor and respect as well as acknowledging our connection between peoples and the environment. That is my take on it.
I love your videos..like and subscribed..i always wondered about this and what the clan was...awww your parents and grandparents look so nice and your mom looks so young
Hey Brother . Im Mexican { mexicano} and today I understood English... Some of this stories make sense in the way Granpa told us, thank you for your video, I don't belong to the Clans, but make somehow sense to the Huastecos, in lower Tamaulipas and North of Veracruz....anyway thank you for share...I'll subscribe to your channel...
This is FASCINATING. Thanks so much for this.
I wish so much I could understand the rich heritage you hold. I have very little native blood in my line. We're mostly European, as most "Americans". My great-grandmother worked on a reservation as a nurse, or so I'm told. Unfortunately, she died by the time I was 2 years old, so I've never had the opportunity to discuss any native beliefs or stories. Nonetheless, they keep me wondering. It's always been a ponder to me at least. Thanks!
Keep up the great work! We need more information on these topics so younger generations could keep the memories of Ancestors alive through Diné Bizaad. Ahéheé
I am Tsenahabilinii. I would be very interested in your ideas and philosophy about that clan. Example, where they are from, background, and stories? I enjoy the stories about the other clans, in particularly To’aheedlinii. Shi To’aheedlinii eí baashchíín:)
Can you continue the origin of the other clans? Perhaps make a series of videos. :D Thanks for sharing.
Sure appreciate your explanations I'm watching your videos and learning a lot about your culture. Thanks my friend.
Another interesting coincidence between Korean and Navaho, Korean adopted Chinese family name but Korean female does not denounce their family name after marriage. As a Korean you can trace your mother side ancestor just like your father side because both two parents keep their own family name.
Was it not the Navajo who interpretted Code for WW2 and saved
the USA> Is that true? Navajo is very intricate in its sound. It is
a lovely sound.
Very interesting im quarter navajo and quarter isleta so ive been trying to learn more as i was not taught as a child thanks for the knowledge
Yá'át'ééh, shí éí Peneleapaí . A'hé'hée for this amazing awesome video! 🌀🕸🌊🌹
I would love to learn the language.
Starting around 7:30 I started to get hopelessly confused, but I still love to listen to this lesson
Respect from out of the Netherlands. To you all my Indian brothers.
Thank you so much for sharing this with the world! It is so interesting.
This is really interesting, my ancestors are from India, I am a 3rd generation Western born (Caribbean) Indian. My country, Trinidad and Tobago, still have a few Natives, they are the Amerindians (our country refers to them as The First Peoples). They have survived through the European colonization with the introduction of the Slaves (people from Africa), then when slavery was abolished came the Indentured Laborers (people from India - my ancestors).
Due to the method by which my ancestors came to the west, they were forced to lose their native language, they were even forced to change their names to English names (same applied to the peoples from Africa and the Natives). To this day, most of us Western born Indians only speak English (including myself). Seeing how you all still speak your native language (even though you had/have to fight to keep it) is very commendable!
I have questions...lol
1) How many clans are there?
2) Are new clans still being 'established'? I want to know if new clans are still being created...I hope you understand...
Like many people know, India had/has a Caste System (where people are labelled as a particular caste, and most of the time this determines privileges and stuff...although it's an illegal methodology in India).
3) Are there instances where each clan have certain privileges as opposed to other clans?
That's about all I can think about for now :)
Thank you.
Hi, to answer some of your questions. It's a bit tricky but I wouldn't say 'new' clans are being formed. It's more of a recognition of different ethnicities. No, there is no caste system and clans aren't used for social status. However, some clans have specific traits or specialties associated to them. Like weaving, silversmithing, etc.
Very informative. Thank you 🌸
Thank you! I wish this video had been around years ago. I'm going to watch it a bunch of times.
I would also be interested in a series like soulcapacitor suggested.
Thanks... I tried... it is hard to explain! :-)
Hello
My clans are Kinyaa'aanii, born for Osai' Ashii'ii, maternal grandfathers are Kinlichinii, and paternal grandparents are Naakai'dineh. "Bitter water is one of the largest clans", the myth that everyone is Bitter water does not apply to me.
However it appears there is a rise in child sexual abuse cases and incest on the Navajo Nation. One source stated that incest can include "Medicine Men" and other respected "Elders". When a child is born out of incest and would like to marry another person who may not be related to them, the Navajo law says that you cannot be related to your partner through their mother and father but what if you are a product of incest?
Majority of our sex offenders on the Navajo Nation are elders, who were are supposed to respect and also greet according to our clans. I wonder if those are the same elders who either protect, hide or are perpetrators of sex offending/offenders. Just curious....
There is no research done on the clan system regarding DNA tests to support the clan system, because it is forbidden. I am looking to research cultural inhibition and assimilation. Thanks!
Stephanie R. Scott
im a Zuni edge water
What's up?! I'm Kinyaa'áanii, ashii'ii, mud ppl, Lakota Sioux!
A'hé'hée for bringing this important subject to the table. I salute your bravery and integrity. I wonder how you got on with your research and I hope it brought a lot of light into dark places. 🔍🕸❔🐚🌀🌹
Ahe'hee for these vids!!! I hope you start doing them again. Your style along w the written words really helps. My masani was sent to Sherman where teachers hit kids w sticks when they spoke their language and she decided to stay in CA and raise her kids to be as white as possible. Her clan was Ta'chii'nii n I'm descended from her oldest daughter. I'm also Nisenan and Washo. So now I have an idea how to introduce myself!!!!!
Great to see Indigenous Culture shared openly. Thank you for your time, efforts and knowledge. #cipvoices
It’s just embarrassing that this is the only way you can understand. When you try to understand from your family it isn’t easy. I appreciate your work and it matters Daybreakwarrior.
Four original clans: todichii'nii, to'ahani, todik'ozhi, hashtl'ishnii (i don't have a slash L) while the four clans after being made from the grime (chxin) of changing woman, each clans poked their gish into the dirt for water, that's how they were named. There's another story I left out.
Fascinating! Did I miss it or did you not tell us about the Bitter Water Clan?
Very interesting, most in my tribe have long forgotten their clan. Western tribes have a strong sense of identity which I think the eastern tribes are lacking. Thank you for this insight
Bravo ! Great information! This Vlogger is a smart guy 🤠
The family tree example was awesome! Great job :)
I am so fascinated with this and have watched your vlog over and over, figuring out how it applies to me. I grew up "saying" my clan, but I never fully understood it. Thank you for making this video! I do have a question: At 5:25, you say Tsé Nahabiłnii becomes your mom's grandfather's clan. I am thrown by this, did you mean, your mom's father's clan which would be your maternal grandfather? That is confusing me, please help.
You're my Nali haha (:
wow bro you did it spot on at least to what i know ,you two did a great job right on
Good information. Thanks for sharing. The moral to the story is -don't mess around with or marry your clan members! Also would like to mention that there is some truth to the relation between Apaches and Navajo's. There's a rare immunodeficiency called SCID that both tribes infants are at risk of having. Read about it online.
I've always considered those whose first two clans are the same as mine, in any order, my brother or sister. Great video, Nizhoniyee'! :)
My mom was full blooded Navajo. And she past away in 2007....I never got the chance to talk about my heritage with her and I really want to know who and where she came from...I vaguely remember something saying she was born in window rock or something rock....I’m proud off my Navajo heritage , and I want to learn for her..if someone can point me in the right direction. I’ll be greatful thank
you have done a great job thank you for sharing I am part Navajo but have no idea what clan my great grandfather came from it would be wonderful to find out which clans he was from I am also Aboriginal my tribe her in Australia is Kabi I know more about my tribe than my clan
PS. I love the phrase "the clan I'm born for."
Really interesting stories about how it started :)
You have a beautiful family. You can see the wisdom in their eyes. Your grandmothers look paticularly o.g, thats they are the beams in the kiva, grandfathers are the clay. Clay is strong but the beams help the clay stand into a house.
Wish I could speak Navajo. I am learning but it's a bit difficult.
This was amazing, thank you! You made this very clear, actually.
In this instance, you would say, "Bilagáanaa bá shíshchíín, Bilagáanaa dashinálí." So, stating that you're dad is fully Anglo. Though it may seem repetitive, it clarifies more about your dad's ancestry if that makes sense.
Nizhoni - I hope that you don't mind using your video as a resource for my students to view.
:-)
Wow thank u so much for this knowledge ✨✨🙏
Someone needs to do some type of short films of these stories.
I thought there was something like this!! You can be from two different tribes but if you have the same clan it is a no go.
I was an adopted child. I found out my father is Navajo and mother Norwegian. So even after finding out why I look the way I do .I still have no home. I look Navajo not white. I wish I could finally find my place someday.
I would like to return to grandfather's lands and learn his language , meet my distant cousins (he left as a hungry boy, then joined Marines for WW2, to defeat starvation,he didn't return home (but made another here,@ poverty point in Louisiana)I am of the lost ones, half white. Other than my children, grandchildren..(I am left alone & hungry , as he was)We are surviving 💖✌️
No kidding, very complex system. Thanks much.
Thank you, you cleared up a lot for me. I always wondered how a baby can be a grandmother. I learned a lot from you.
First: Matriarchal Clan
Second: Father's Clan
Third: Matriarchal Grandpa's Clan
Fourth: Paternal Grandpa's Clan
I love this video!! Great job 👏 Can you tell about where the bitter water clan came from since they're one of the 4 main clans. Thank you so much. .😊
Aye! I never could understand the whole clan thing but we are related of course LOL!! But you did a really good job explaining it :) my mom and dads way is so confusing? LOL!
Ya’at’eeh from Japan.
I am learning Dine Bizzard and culture. I wanted to know about your clan system but it is very difficult and confusing.
I am very happy now. Ahehee!
Greetings from Finland. :)
Very interesting. I think we had a similar clan system here in Northern Europe but the traditions are now pretty much lost. And of course it's probably pretty different from yours...BUT on a general note I think they probably served a similar purpose. Can you explain in general what the function of this type of social structure is? Thanks. :)
Thank you soooooo much for sharing this!!! Many prayers for the Navajo people to rise up stronger and healthier than ever before...Navajo Medicine makes the virus vanish back to where it originated!!! I need Navajo Medicine to help cure my illness morgellons.......is this possible to consult with someone???
Thank you for your clarification. I was wrong with the grandfather's. Now, cheii and nalii make sense. My 2nd clan, Tl'ogi, is the Zia Pueblo, weaver clan. It was confirmed on my DNA with 5% Pueblo. 94% Navajo, 1% Spain. Im guessing my Pueblo side was mixed with spanish settlers. My other 3 clans are navajo.
Can I be apart of your clan? No seriously I think you are so wonderful for your knowledge in Navajo Culture . I would really like to get to know you on a personal level.
hi Shan Lui, I think it would be nice to add one more person to our Navajo Nation. Beside, we are all family.
Great video, thank you.
Thanks for all the information, I"ll need to look into my moms family and do some foot work.
Where did you find out the history of the clans? I'm Ma'ii Deeshgiizhnii and Tł'ízí łaní bá shíshchíín. I just want to more.
Thank you bro. Your my cousin. On your first to clans. Thank you for the info bro.
Awesome great video, im sure you probably a teacher of navajo culture in a professional environment
Wow this is so complex
@.@ lol but helpful and cool to know :)
Your Identity is very important. At least this is how it seems to me.
In Europe the people were victim of conquest after conquest. First your of your tribe, then your a Roman slave, then your Scottish, then your English. After a while you lose track. This is what the owners of the money want. They consider us their livestock.
Eventually if this keeps up no one will know how or where they connect with the Earth.
The money people want to dictate who we are and what we will be used to.
When you don't know who you are there is danger in that.
Hi. Thanks for these videos! Very informative. What I didn't understand was how you can have four clans if you are "half" Navajo. Please comment. Thanks!
+natyboops Non-Navajo’s will use their race as their clan. Bilagáana-white, Bináá’ádaałtso’ózí Dine’é-Asian, Naakai-Hispanic, Naakai Łizhinii-Black etc...
Ok, Cool! Makes sense! thanks again!
I am very greatful that y help me in my navajo class to lean and understand how to write navajo and speak my husband died i am north basin people from the nirth western regin of the vickings i finnaly did a dna test I lived I lived and Burnside past Apache County an 2013 when the economy crashed my boyfriend was Greg Hubbard he died and he told me he was The Bitter Water Clan but his grandpa I don't know but he has five siblings kids left his father is John Hubbard and his mother is Mary Woody but he died at the age of 43 we don't know how he died but he's laid to rest we had to carry his body from Flagstaff Arizona I didn't know his dad until three weeks later that I learned a lot I had to live there and I am very very grateful after that I want to cook them in a college and I got a V and Navajo because of you and I'm very very grateful I know the plans can be complicated so if you can give me any description of what the Hubbards are and the Woody would be he only said Bitter Water Clan but there is no Cheney I think I'm not sure there's not much communication after his death just talking to the step kids on the internet but the mother was Spanish and she just went on and had so many kids never got married they had kids when they were 18 and he died at 43 so I really appreciate if you can help me his dad is very very sad hiiraan IHS in Fort Defiance you is a big politician around the IHSS office it's ink Michaels are Fort Defiance but I learned a very much a lot when I lived there and I just very much appreciate everything and I understand about the Apaches and they were cousins I learned a lot because the grandfather and grandmother used to work at the trading post and goodnight oh and I know a lot of people from there but I finally got a DNA test in my boyfriend my husband I lived in Burnside past Apache County and 2013 when the economy crashed my boyfriend was great Hubbard he died and he told me he was the better water clan but his grandpa I don't know
this is so clear. thank you!
Ahe'hee yaazh (or brother?) for the great vid. I'm Ma'ii deeshgiizhnii and still have issues with K'e but this helped me a lot.
Thank You. I have been waiting for this. I need to find my family. #peaceandwellness2U
Very cool and interesting
Thank you....it was interesting...peace
Do you ever offer by the hour (rate) tutoring for Navajo language related questions?
I speak quite a bit to the general public, and maybe talking at a wedding here within the next year or so. I'm half Navajo (Mother), and half Nakota (Father). So how would I introduce myself if I were on the general Navajo public. Would mine be a bit shorter due to my father not being Navajo, or would I include my father's tribe? I just want to be correct when speaking.
Thank you for your video! Where can I learn more about the "Bitter Water" Clan?
i am Half navajo (dad) and Half Apache (mom) and i know only one of my clans. How do i introduce myself as well?
So interesting. Thanks.
That topic on where the Coyote Pass Clan & how it came about is covered in the video.
Thanks for sharing 😀
What do you know about the flat foot pima clan? Thank you for this video. I hope to hear from you.
thank you for the clarification about clans. i was just wondering what T1chii'nii-Red Running into the Water means. and how do you pronounce it.
Do u know the story's to, start of the red streak people, tangle, bitter water. Kinda need info by tomorrow if possible
very informative video, you should be an instructor. You should make a video about how other clans came to be. Keep up the good work!